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Choosing skateboard bearings

SKATEBOARD BEARINGS

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What size bearings do I need for my skateboard wheels?
Skateboard bearings are all the same size and will fit any wheel we sell.

Bearings may not vary in size, but they do vary in quality. The more expensive ones are actually made better with better sealing, more inner ball-bearings, and higher quality metals.

What does ABEC mean? Skateboard bearings often have an ABEC rating, and skaters are often confused about what that means. What are ABEC bearings? Is the ABEC bearing rating important?

Answer: ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers’ Committee, and is the American method for rating the accuracy and tolerance rating of bearings. ABEC standards are set by the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA).

  • ABEC 1 is the most crude, the least precise, the most durable and the cheapest.
  • ABEC 3 is what most cheap complete skateboards come with, especially skateboards from China.
  • ABEC 3 bearings will work for most skateboarding, but won’t roll very smoothly or fast.
  • ABEC 5 bearings are the norm in skateboarding. You get a reasonable amount of speed, and at a reasonable cost. However, there are lots of people who argue that the skateboarding industry is lying, and that most ABEC 5 skateboard bearings you see aren’t actually built to ABEC 5 standards…
  • ABEC 7 bearings would be very fast and smooth, but very expensive. Plus, you start to run the risk of needlessly damaging them if you skate hard or aggressively. Also, if you are buying cheap ABEC 7 bearings made in China, you are probably being lied to (read The Truth about Skateboard Bearings.
  • ABEC 9 and higher bearings would be ridiculous to use in a skateboard, unless you are doing downhill luge style skating, or something else where your goal is to go insanely fast. If you aren’t spending a fortune on these bearings, then don’t trust that they are in fact ABEC 9!

  • Choosing a pre-assembled skateboard

  • Building a custom complete skateboard

  • Choosing a skateboard deck

  • Choosing skateboard trucks

  • Choosing skateboard wheels

  • Choosing skateboard bearings

  • Choosing skateboard accessories & hardware

    • If you still have questions about fit or sizing please feel free to contact the shop at 973-287-7626.